| Many people love to experiment with different foods | | | | Some of the regional differences to Indian cooking are |
| from different cultures and ethnicities. Some people | | | | as follows: Northern India: This region of India offers the |
| love to go out for dinner and experiment with foods | | | | some of the more familiar mix Indian dishes, including |
| they've never had before. Other people like to | | | | the popular tandoori-style of cooking. This region offers |
| reproduce their favorite dishes at home. Experimenting | | | | the dishes that are found in most Indian restaurants of |
| with cooking from other regions and cultures can be | | | | the West, such as koftas (spicy meatballs), kormas |
| an exciting and fun process. Many cuisines have subtle | | | | (meats braised in creamy sauces with yogurts and |
| differences from region to region. Or sometimes the | | | | fruits), and the delicious chewy, leavened bread, naan. |
| ethnic cuisines are based strictly on different | | | | The blend of spices used to flavor these dishes is |
| geographic areas. | | | | Garam masala, more warming than fiery. You may |
| Some of the most popular cuisines are Mexican, Italian, | | | | also add Basmati rice for a regional flare, but breads |
| French, Greek and Middle Eastern, Indian, Chinese, | | | | are the primary starch in this wheat-growing |
| Japanese, and Thai cuisines. While many people feel | | | | region.Southern India: Some people think of Indian food |
| comfortable experimenting with Mexican, Italian, or | | | | as extremely spicy. Southern Indian cuisine is probably |
| Chinese, few people feel comfortable experimenting | | | | the cuisine most people think of, the spicy dishes such |
| with Indian food. Nor do they understand the subtle | | | | as vindaloo, a dish that relies legumes, including lentils |
| differences in Indian regional cuisine. Indian cooking is as | | | | and chickpeas. For the most part, the dishes from |
| complex and diverse as India's geography, climate, | | | | Southern India are primarily vegetarian, but you can |
| religion, and culture. The variety of dishes is extensive: | | | | certainly adapt the recipe to include meat for |
| from warm tandoori dishes with meat of Northern India, | | | | celebrations and special occasions. Rice is an essential |
| to the, saucy Southern mostly vegetarian dals | | | | ingredient in these dishes, especially the fragrant |
| (legume-based dishes), you'll find incredible diversity and | | | | jasmine variety which is used in almost every dish |
| great taste. | | | | during a meal, even dessert! |